Details of his trip weren’t immediately available. UNICEF officials and people close to Gasol kept the location secret for obvious reasons. Ever since the U.S-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, concerns over security and political factions remain. But if history serves as any indication, it’s likely Gasol helped with various humanitarian efforts.

He also traveled to South Africa (2005), Angola (2007), Ethiopia (2010) and Chad (2012). Each trip involved a specific responsibility, including feeding efforts (Chad, Ethiopia) and handing out medicine to help eradicate the HIV virus (South Africa, Angola).

Gasol’s interest in UNICEF stems from his medical school background at the University of Barcelone and his passion for helping people in need. His involvement with UNICEF as well as with Los Angeles Children’s Hospital earned him the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship award in 2012.

Comments policy

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. Although we do not pre-screen comments, we reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.

If you see comments that you find offensive, please use the “Flag as Inappropriate” feature by hovering over the right side of the post, and pulling down on the arrow that appears. Or, contact our editors by emailing moderator@langnews.com.